The Tennis Drop Shot - When To Use It And How To Execute It
The drop shot in tennis is a tantalizing weapon. When executed well, your opponent will be scrambling to get to the ball time and time again. But all too often, players try to use the drop shot when it's not the right play, leading to an easy winner for their opponents. We'll explore when you should use the drop shot and how you can execute it effectively.
When To Use The Drop Shot
There are three main situations when you would want to use a drop shot:
The best time to hit a drop shot is when your opponent is expecting you to go for a down-the-line winner or an aggressive cross court shot. If they're positioned near the baseline in anticipation of one of these shots, they won't be able to get to your drop shot in time.
When you're short on energy. If you're starting to feel tired and you know you won't be able to keep up with a rally for much longer, going for a drop shot can be a good way to end the point quickly and preserve your energy for the next one. Your opponent may also be feeling fatigue and be unable to chase down your drop shots.
When your opponent is playing too far back. If your opponent is constantly hanging back and not coming to the net, you can use a drop shot to try and draw them in. This way you can avoid getting into lengthy baseline rallies where they might be more comfortable.
How To Execute A Drop Shot
There are two main things you need to do to execute a proper drop shot:
One of the keys to hitting a good tennis drop shot is making sure that you keep your wrist firm. A lot of players make the mistake of letting their wrist collapse at impact, which causes the ball to come off too high and short.
Get underneath the ball. You want to make sure you really get under the ball so that it has plenty of backspin. This will make it bounce lower, making it more difficult for your opponent to reach. Aim for a spot just over the net.
Drop shots are one of the most fun shots in tennis because they can be so frustrating for your opponent when executed well. But before you start hitting them all over the court, remember that they should only be used in certain situations. And when you do hit one, make sure that it has good placement and spin so that it stays in and your opponent can't take advantage.
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About The Author
Darren Teo is the founder of Play! Tennis, the most Google reviewed tennis academy in Singapore. His passion for making tennis accessible to everyone regardless of their age, experience and ability continues to drive his work at the school. He is a thought leader in LinkedIn with 14,000 followers.